Taverna Simos — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

At the enchanting family-run Top Garden, we embarked on a culinary journey. While only a select few tables offer the picturesque glimpse of the sea, it’s important to note that this restaurant doesn't overlook the caldera and the sunset. Yet, the experience more than compensates for it.

The Food:

The evening began with an exquisite grilled feta starter, perfectly complemented by roasted bell peppers. A symphony of flavors, this dish set the tone for what was to follow.

The rump steak, generously crowned with caramelized onions, was a gastronomic marvel. Enormous in portion, it even challenged a hearty eater like myself, requiring assistance from my husband to conquer it. Accompanied by crispy fried potatoes, carrot, and a delightful mix of rice, peas, and corn, the steak was a true testament to robust, satisfying cuisine.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the moussaka – a sublime rendition of this classic Greek dish, leaving us thoroughly enchanted.

Service:

The service was impeccable – courteous and prompt, enhancing the dining experience without intrusion.

Atmosphere:

Our table, offering a partial sea view, added a special touch to the evening. The background music, a tasteful blend of Greek pop and folk, was pleasantly subdued, allowing for conversation and contemplation.

Price:

Considering the locale of Santorini, the pricing here is remarkably reasonable. Just a few streets away, costs escalate dramatically. Situated on the “wrong side” of the caldera, this gem offers culinary excellence without the exorbitant extras.

In summary, Top Garden is a haven for discerning diners, offering a blend of delightful cuisine, stellar service, and an inviting atmosphere, all at an accessible...

Before leaving Santorini, I had lunch at this restaurant — and I’m so glad I did. When I told the owner I was from Taiwan, he immediately started speaking to me in Chinese! He even offered me a complimentary drink and some small snacks that seemed like bar bites.

I ordered the grilled green peppers and fried squid, and both dishes were absolutely delicious. I honestly didn’t expect them to be this good. The green peppers were incredibly juicy and paired perfectly with the sauce. The fried squid was just as juicy — I could literally feel the juices burst in my mouth with each bite. I truly loved it.

Surprisingly, I was the only customer during lunch — I’m not sure why, because the food was amazing. The restaurant is also very close to the bus station, which makes it super convenient. I highly recommend stopping by for a meal if you’re in the area. There’s also free Wi-Fi and a beautiful view of the sea, which makes it a lovely spot to relax.

Since I still had some time before my bus, the (male) owner kindly told me I could stay and relax for a while. I think whenever I think of Santorini in the future, this restaurant will be the first thing that comes to mind. I’m really glad I chose to eat here.

My hotel was nearby, so actually I had already visited this place on my first night in Santorini to order takeout. I got the grilled squid and moussaka — both were pretty tasty. Although some parts of the grilled squid were a bit salty, it was still very flavorful and aromatic. I also remember the (female) owner who took my order that night smiled at me kindly — she was...

To start, when it eventually came the food was average-good for Greek Tavern fare. The view was ok.

All of our issues were service related. We arrived, noone inside greeted us so we asked the kitchen staff how to get upstairs - not too much of a problem with Greek etiquette of seating yourself. We ordered 2 mains and a starter and a jug of barrel wine (the wine was drinkable and arrived promptly with bread). We were then ignored for 40 minutes in a very quiet restaurant. A waiter who entered our food order on a tablet eventually realised there was a problem and re-placed the order. Only a basic apology was offered. We then waited a further 35 minutes with no contact before our food arrived. We disputed paying the full bill at this point and were told that discounts don't happen. We were reluctantly offered more wine if we wished after asking if anything was on offer but declined as we had already had the evening soured. We paid the bill quickly (and were offered no further apology while doing so) and left.

We were disappointed that a pleasant seeming tavern with a reasonably cheap menu had such poor service. It may be that this is the standard approach in Greece when there are problems with an order, we haven't had any prior issues with service so have no baseline. A more apologetic waiter and an earlier offer of drinks/compensation, or more explanation would have gone a long way, especially given others were receiving food who...